Norwegian Breakaway leaves parents in Bahamas

[PrincessShmoo]

I think the husband had to get off the ship because his wife had no documents on her. You don't want to be stranded in another country without your passport. It is why he probably had no choice but to disembark with both their passports. It's actually a blessing other relatives were onboard to care for the children. Although the whole situation is very unfortunate and I will be sure to be back on the ship early from now on.

Well, he didn't HAVE to debark the ship in order to ensure she got her documents. He could have left them with the port agent for her to collect when she showed up.

Personally, if it were me that was missing the ship (but it never would be), I'd be fine with my husband remaining onshore with me, as long as the kids were covered. While I don't really fall in the "damsel in distress" group, I'd much rather have someone else along when stranded in a foreign country.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

Right. I didn't think of that.... That was probably his thought process too... better they're stranded together than just her. Not that there was a win-win solution to their situation.
I remember we boarded the Fantasy 20 minutes prior to the posted time in St. Thomas, and my husband and I were thinking of running back to one of the shops near the pier as I forgot to buy something... I wasn't 100% sure how close the nearest shops were and if 20 minutes was enough to run there and back. I pictured ourselves running frantically waving our arms as the Fantasy sails away and we boarded instead of heading back

 

[michellekcm]

I just asked my husband what he would do, and he said if I didn't have my passport with me he would just hand it over to the port agent and stay with the kids.

Although, that's an easy off-the-cuff response when you're sitting at home together. If there was any chance I was hurt or in trouble I think the actual response would be different. Especially since I'm the one who insists on being back on board way before all aboard time

 

[GooniesAndy]

Hindsight is 20/20, knowing that this lady was just a space cadet of some variety, but at the time that man had no clue whether she was being a space cadet or if she was in the hospital or dead or anything else. Since there was family on the ship, I think it makes perfect sense to go ashore with documents to try to find her.

 

[bumbershoot]

Conversation had. DH knew exactly what he should do, thank goodness. Only new info he needed was "give my passport to the port agent". Except that I always take my passport off with me, as I see no point to be in a foreign country withOUT a passport.

(OK except for on Castaway and Coco Cays. There I just take the DL off. I figure they aren't leaving me on those places...sad but true.)

 

[darnheather]

The crazy thing I can't understand is all of these people getting off in a foreign country without a passport. That's something I can't imagine doing.

 

[Flossbolna]

The crazy thing I can't understand is all of these people getting off in a foreign country without a passport. That's something I can't imagine doing.

This is actually the recommended thing to do. You just need picture ID and the Key to the World card to get back on the ship. Passports can be stolen, damaged etc. Just think of a snorkeling excursion or so. The rumor is that in case you don't make it back on the ship, they actually open the safe, get your passport and hand it over to the port agent. The port agent is always listed on the Navigator of the day, therefore I always make sure to bring a copy of that in case there is an emergency and I need to get in touch with the ship.

 

[Jennifer777]

Conversation had. DH knew exactly what he should do, thank goodness. Only new info he needed was "give my passport to the port agent". Except that I always take my passport off with me, as I see no point to be in a foreign country withOUT a passport.

(OK except for on Castaway and Coco Cays. There I just take the DL off. I figure they aren't leaving me on those places...sad but true.)

I am militant about getting back to the ship at every other port with a couple hours to spare, just in case, but you should see me dragging my feet getting back to the ship at CC. I am not the least bit worried they will leave me behind. I wish they would to be honest.

 

[DahliaRW]

This is actually the recommended thing to do. You just need picture ID and the Key to the World card to get back on the ship. Passports can be stolen, damaged etc. Just think of a snorkeling excursion or so. The rumor is that in case you don't make it back on the ship, they actually open the safe, get your passport and hand it over to the port agent. The port agent is always listed on the Navigator of the day, therefore I always make sure to bring a copy of that in case there is an emergency and I need to get in touch with the ship.

Some ports (in Europe) require you to have your passport with you. If you're in the Caribbean, not so much. When we sailed on a western, we took a photocopy of our passports with us and left the actual on the ship. Mexico, etc. seems to be a place where your passport would be more likely to be stolen. In the off chance that something happened and we couldn't get our actual passports off of the ship, the copy can help when dealing with the embassy to get an emergency passport. It's also a good idea to leave a photocopy with someone back home. It can be faxed if your passport goes missing, etc.